Page 51 - Fall 2024 Newsletter

HOULTON – History’s Hiding Place, continued...

Wooden French’s building- The architectural
landscape of downtown Houlton underwent
significant transformation in the late 19th
century. Pictured in the foreground is the
wooden Union Block, which once stood at
French’s Corner at the intersection of Main
and Court Streets. This three-story structure
replaced a two-story building destroyed in
a fire on April 1, 1880. However, the Union
Block had a brief existence, as it too was lost
to a devastating fire on October 19, 1893. The
brick French Block, which remains a prominent
landmark today, was constructed in its place
and opened in 1894

Longfellow School- Houlton once boasted
several neighborhood schools, including the
Fair Street School, Bowdoin Street School,
and Longfellow School. Pictured here is the
Longfellow School, located on Green Street. In
1989, the building was demolished after being
acquired by Community Living Association,
which repurposed the site for the construction
of the Roger Randall Center.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Longfellow School was my
home for four years in the early ‘60’s with
wonderful teachers: Cora Hogan -Grade 1; Lois
Vose – Grade 2; Maxine Giberson (her first year in
Houlton) – Grade 3; and Avis Lewin – Grade 4.

www.houltonalumni.com 51